Governance And Transparency

Governance, Compliance & Donor Information

SARALLAH ASSOCIATION INC.
Incorporated Association (Victoria, Australia) | Registration No. (ARN): A0127355W
Incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic)

1. The Association

1.1 SARALLAH Association Inc. (the Association) is a not-for-profit incorporated association registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria and governed by its Rules and the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) (the Act).

1.2 An application for registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is in progress. Until that registration is granted, the Association does not represent itself as a registered charity.

1.3 The Association exists to serve the community of South-East Melbourne, including by acquiring, maintaining and developing a permanent community centre and mosque venue, and by conducting religious, educational and community programs in Victoria.

2. Governance

2.1 The Association is managed by an elected Committee, including a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, who are elected by members at the Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Rules.

2.2 The Committee acts in the interests of the Association as a whole and in accordance with its stated purposes, the Rules, the Act and all other applicable laws.

2.3 Significant decisions, including the purchase of real property, the entry into any mortgage or long-term financial commitment, and any amendment to the Rules or Statement of Purposes, may only be made with the approval of members by Special Resolution at a General Meeting, as required by the Act.

2.4 The Association lodges its annual statement and notifies Consumer Affairs Victoria of changes to its Committee, address and Rules within the periods prescribed by the Act.

3. Property Holding (Proposed Structure)

3.1 Subject to professional legal and financial advice, the Association proposes that any community centre or mosque property be held through a dedicated trust structure established for the sole benefit of the Association and its not-for-profit purposes.

3.2 The purpose of the proposed structure is to secure the property as a community asset and to keep it legally separate from the day-to-day operational risks of the Association. No individual holds, or will hold, any personal beneficial interest in the property.

4. Financial Integrity & Controls

4.1 Official accounts only. All funds are received and held exclusively in Australian bank accounts in the name of SARALLAH ASSOCIATION INC. No person may receive, hold or deal with Association funds in a personal account.

4.2 Dual authorisation. Every payment from the Association’s accounts requires the authorisation of at least two authorised Committee signatories. No single person has unilateral authority over Association funds.

4.3 No personal benefit. The income and property of the Association are applied solely to its purposes. No part of them may be paid or transferred, directly or indirectly, to any member, Committee member or related person, other than genuine reimbursement or payment for goods and services supplied to the Association on proper commercial terms.

4.4 Electronic payments. Outgoing payments are made electronically against proper tax invoices or documentation. The Association does not make cash disbursements.

4.5 Reporting. The Treasurer maintains complete financial records, and financial statements are presented to members at each Annual General Meeting and reviewed or audited as required by the Act.

5. Donations

5.1 Donations are welcomed from supporters in Australia and overseas. All donations are voluntary gifts, made without any expectation of material benefit, and are applied toward the purposes of the Association, including its property acquisition fund.

5.2 Once received, a donation is the property of the Association and is not refundable, except where the Association is required by law to return it or has received it in error.

5.3 The Association issues official acknowledgements for contributions. The Association is not currently endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). Donations are therefore not tax deductible in Australia, and acknowledgements should not be treated as tax-deductible receipts. Donors should obtain their own advice regarding their tax position.

5.4 The Association reserves the right to decline or return any contribution where it is unable to verify the source of funds, where acceptance may breach any law, or where acceptance would be inconsistent with the Association’s values or purposes.

6. Anti-Money Laundering & Overseas Transfers

6.1 The Association complies with Australian anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws and cooperates with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and its financial institutions.

6.2 Contributions from within Australia or overseas may be subject to identity and source-of-funds verification, and the Association may request supporting information before accepting a contribution.

6.3 No person or group is authorised to collect money in the name of the Association, or at any Association program, for transfer to any person or organisation outside Australia. Any such collection is unauthorised and is not endorsed by the Association.

7. Non-Cash Gifts

7.1 The Association may accept gifts of property other than money, including precious metals, foreign currency, vehicles and real property. Such gifts are independently valued and converted to Australian dollars through a licensed dealer or appropriate professional, and the full proceeds are deposited to the Association’s official account.

7.2 The donor receives written acknowledgement of the in-kind gift. The Association may decline any non-cash gift at its discretion.

8. Insurance & Safety

8.1 The Association maintains public liability insurance covering its programs, religious observances and venue activities. A Certificate of Currency is available to local councils, authorities and venue partners on request.

8.2 All activities are conducted in accordance with applicable safety, planning and council requirements.

9. Venue Hire

9.1 Once a permanent facility is available, the Association may make it available for hire to community members and organisations when it is not required for Association programs. All hire is subject to the Association’s Hall Hire Agreement, which must be accepted before a booking is confirmed.

9.2 All activities on the premises must comply with Islamic ethical standards, the law and council requirements. Non halal and illicit substances are strictly prohibited.

10. Privacy

10.1 Personal information provided to the Association, including donor and member details, is collected and used only for the Association’s purposes, stored securely, and not sold or disclosed to third parties except where required by law or with consent.

11. Important Notice

11.1 This page is a general statement of the Association’s governance and policies. It does not constitute legal, financial or tax advice, nor an offer or invitation in relation to any financial product. The Association may amend these policies from time to time. Enquiries may be directed to the Secretary of SARALLAH Association Inc.